•Gives 6-month deadline on compliance, MAN urges extension

By Tunde Oso

CITING the need to promote competitiveness of Made-in-Nigeria products in the global market, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), has rebranded its Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) scheme, giving a six-month deadline to manufacturers and other businesses to comply with the agency’s directive.

Director General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke, said at the unveiling of the scheme yesterday that the agency’s new logo will add value towards the agency’s mandate of creating enabling environment and confidence for consumers, manufacturers, exporters, importers and all genuine operators in the various segments of the nation’s economy.

However, the Director -General of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi-Kadir pleaded for an extension of the deadline, saying the six month grace period was too short for manufacturers. 

The SON helmsman noted that the rebranding of the MANCAP logo is not only a change of aesthetics, as it represents a new dedication to quality assurance and a proactive response to the evolving changing challenges confronting the agency, including the pressing need to combat counterfeiting and streamline the process for manufacturers.

He said the initiative is of paramount importance in promoting a level playing field for manufacturers, adding that one of his key focus or area is to improve services through technology and automation.

“We are also committed to safeguarding the interests of our esteemed consumers and ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian products on the global stage. This rebranding initiative is also strategically aligned with our broader national objective of enhancing the visibility and recognition of quality-certified Nigerian products, both within our domestic market and the international arena.

Okeke stated that the agency would be giving a grace period of six months  for full implementation of the new logo  for the benefit of Nigerians, emphasising  the agency’s  unwavering commitment to holding the quality and standards within the Nigerian manufacturing sector.

For manufacturers, he noted that the new MANCAP logo represents a badge of honor, signifying compliance with the quality benchmarks and the dedication to the pursuit of excellence. “ it will undoubtedly enhance the quality of the products being manufactured in a more valued manner, with  brand recognition to foster consumer confidence.”

“For our consumers, which are the customers, it offers the assurance and peace of mind that comes from knowing that the products they purchase are safe and reliable.

He said his key focus or area is to improve services through technology and automation.

MAN DG, Ajayi-Kadir, who made a presentation on the ‘Role of Branding on Standardisation and quality Assurance,’ posited that the country needs to deepen confidence in its standards for “us to be able to proudly demonstrate that our products are indeed of quality standard, since we are not insulated from the geopolitics going on around the world from 2.0 non-tariff barriers, standard, technical barriers to trade.”

“I believe that it is in order to give us credibility that SON is re-branding, ensuring that we carry a logo that is typical of the quality of our products.

He emphasised the need to ensure that Nigerians consume what we produce. “Now this is where it is very important that we are able to streamline our standardization process such that they become acceptable across the continent.”

On the deadline for implementation of the logo, the MAN DG noted that he expects that SON and MAN will jointly agree on the moratorium period. “This is because it’s in our mutual interest to do so. But I want to assure my brother the DG that we are not going to play pranks. We are not going to delay the process. We just want you to also guarantee that we are not going to have wastage.

“I don’t think that all sectors have the same situation but i know that my brother has a large enough heart for us to be able to accommodate what is reasonable while ensuring that we do not delay and we do not play pranks.”